CVE-2022-28738 : Security Advisory and Response
Learn about CVE-2022-28738, a critical double free vulnerability in Ruby 3.x versions before 3.0.4 and 3.1.x before 3.1.2. Understand its impact, affected systems, and mitigation measures.
A double free vulnerability was discovered in the Regexp compiler in Ruby 3.x versions prior to 3.0.4 and 3.1.x versions prior to 3.1.2. This flaw could allow an attacker, by crafting malicious Regexp from untrusted user input, to potentially write to unexpected memory locations.
Understanding CVE-2022-28738
This section provides insights into the impact and technical details of the CVE-2022-28738 vulnerability.
What is CVE-2022-28738?
The CVE-2022-28738 is a double free vulnerability identified in the Regexp compiler within specific versions of Ruby. It arises when creating Regexp from untrusted user inputs, enabling attackers to manipulate memory locations.
The Impact of CVE-2022-28738
The impact of this vulnerability could result in attackers attempting to exploit the memory manipulation to execute arbitrary code or disrupt the normal program execution flow.
Technical Details of CVE-2022-28738
In this section, the technical aspects related to the vulnerability are elaborated.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability involves a double free issue in the Regexp compiler of Ruby versions 3.x before 3.0.4 and 3.1.x before 3.1.2, allowing potential memory corruption.
Affected Systems and Versions
Ruby versions 3.x prior to 3.0.4 and 3.1.x prior to 3.1.2 are impacted by this vulnerability, exposing systems running these versions to the risk of exploitation.
Exploitation Mechanism
Exploiting this vulnerability involves crafting malicious Regexp patterns from untrusted user inputs, triggering the double free condition and leading to memory exploitation.
Mitigation and Prevention
This section outlines effective strategies to mitigate and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2022-28738.
Immediate Steps to Take
Users are advised to update Ruby to versions 3.0.4 and 3.1.2 or later which contain patches addressing the double free vulnerability.
Long-Term Security Practices
Implement secure coding practices, input validation mechanisms, and regular security assessments to enhance overall system security.
Patching and Updates
Regularly apply security patches provided by Ruby to ensure that the software is up-to-date with the latest security fixes.